1. Purpose and Scope

This policy sets out the level of interaction permitted between ponies and members of the public, clients, and staff at schools, care homes, healthcare settings, and other venues visited by Bishton Riding Centre / Equinimity CIC under our Exhibiting Animals Licence. It covers the guidance given to attendees, how audiences are briefed, how inappropriate handling is managed, and how the welfare of the pony is prioritised throughout every interaction.

This policy applies to every handler accompanying a pony on a visit, and is explained to host venues and, where appropriate, to attendees themselves before any interaction takes place.

2. Level of Interaction Permitted

Interaction between ponies and audiences is deliberately limited to low-arousal, sensory-based contact that the pony is well habituated to, and is always carried out under the direct supervision of the handler. The following levels of interaction are permitted:

2.1 Hand Grooming

Hand grooming is the primary form of contact offered to clients and attendees. This involves stroking or grooming the pony by hand, providing calming sensory feedback for the person and a familiar, predictable form of touch for the pony. Hand grooming is only offered on areas of the pony the individual ponies are comfortable being touched (typically the neck, shoulder, and body, avoiding the head, legs, and other sensitive areas unless the pony is especially settled and the handler judges it appropriate).

2.2 Verbal Interaction

Attendees and clients are encouraged to talk to the ponies in a calm, gentle manner. Verbal interaction supports the connection between the person and the pony and is a low-risk, low-arousal way for even nervous or unfamiliar attendees to engage meaningfully.

2.3 Leading

Where leading of the pony forms part of a session, this is carried out using the butterfly leading technique. The handler positions themselves at the pony's head, with the client or attendee invited to hold a designated section of an additional lead line under the handler's direct supervision and control at all times; the handler retains the primary leadline and full control of the pony throughout, and the client never leads independently or unsupervised. This technique allows clients to experience a supervised sense of leading and connection while the handler retains complete control of the pony at all times.

Leading by clients or attendees is only offered where the individual pony is confirmed as suitable for this level of interaction, and is withdrawn immediately by the handler if the pony shows any sign of discomfort, hesitation, or the behaviours described in our Fear and Distress Policy.

2.4 What Is Not Permitted

• Riding of any kind is not offered during exhibitions or outreach visits

• Unsupervised contact of any kind is not permitted; a handler is present at all times during any interaction

• Feeding of the pony by attendees is not permitted unless specific treats have been provided and approved by the handler in advance

• Loud or sudden contact, hugging around the neck, pulling on the mane or tail, or approaching from behind or directly in front is not permitted

• Group crowding — only a small number of people interact with a pony at any one time, with others waiting at a comfortable distance

3. Guidance Given to Clients and Attendees

Before any interaction takes place, the handler explains the following guidance to clients and attendees in simple, accessible language appropriate to the audience (adapting wording for children, those with SEND, or care/healthcare settings as needed):

• Approach the pony calmly and from the side, never from directly behind

• Move slowly and keep voices calm and quiet

• Stroke gently using a flat hand on the areas shown by the handler; avoid grabbing, pulling, or patting firmly

• Wait for the handler's invitation before touching or leading the pony

• Keep hands away from the pony's mouth unless specific feeding has been agreed with the handler

• Listen for the handler's instructions at all times and stop immediately if asked to

• Anyone feeling nervous is welcome simply to watch and talk to the pony from a comfortable distance — interaction is never compulsory

4. How Audiences Are Briefed

Audiences are briefed on appropriate behaviour before any interaction begins, using a method suited to the size and nature of the group:

• Small groups and individual sessions: the handler gives a short, direct verbal briefing covering the guidance in Section 3 before any contact begins

• Larger groups (e.g. school assemblies, group events): a brief group talk is given covering the same key points, followed by individual reminders as people approach the pony

• Schools and care/healthcare settings: where possible, guidance is shared with the host venue in advance (e.g. via the SENCO information sheet or session plan) so staff can reinforce the message and help prepare attendees beforehand

• Visual or simplified cues (e.g. a simple “gentle hands, quiet voices” reminder) are used for very young children or attendees with additional communication needs

The handler remains present throughout to repeat or reinforce guidance as needed, and re-briefs any new attendees joining partway through a session.

5. Managing Inappropriate Handling or Behaviour

Where an attendee, client, or member of the public behaves inappropriately towards a pony, whether through inexperience, excitement, or disregard for guidance, the handler follows this graduated response:

• Politely but firmly remind the person of the correct approach (e.g. “gentle hands please”, “let's stroke this way”), giving them the opportunity to adjust their behaviour

• Physically reposition the pony, or step between the person and the pony, if the reminder is not followed or if the pony shows any sign of discomfort

• End that individual's interaction and calmly invite them to step back if inappropriate behaviour continues

• Remove the pony from the immediate area if necessary to protect its welfare, following the Fear and Distress Policy where signs of stress are shown

• Inform venue staff/host if support is needed to manage a person's behaviour, particularly in school or care settings where staff may already have an established relationship with the individual

• Record any significant incident in the Interaction & Welfare Log, including what occurred and the action taken

The handler has full authority to end or decline any interaction at any time on welfare or safety grounds, without needing prior approval, and will not be criticised for doing so.

6. Prioritising Animal Welfare at All Times

The welfare of the pony takes priority over any individual interaction, session, or visit. This is upheld through:

• Only offering interaction the individual pony is well habituated to and visibly comfortable with

• Limiting session length and the number of people interacting with the pony at any one time, with rest breaks built into longer visits

• Continuous observation by the handler for the signs of fear, stress or distress described in our Fear and Distress Policy, with interaction paused or ended immediately if any are seen

• Ensuring the pony always has a clear route away from attendees and is never cornered, crowded, or restricted from moving away

• Giving the pony's comfort precedence over a client's request — for example, declining to allow touching of an area the pony is sensitive about, regardless of how the request is made

• Recording all interactions and any concerns in the Interaction & Welfare Log, supporting ongoing monitoring of how each pony responds to public contact over time

Handlers are trained in this policy, the Fear and Distress Policy, and the individual temperament and preferences of each pony before accompanying them on visits.

7. Responsibility

Sarah Brown, Owner and Manager, has overall responsibility for this policy and for ensuring all handlers are trained in its application. Each handler is responsible for supervising interaction during their visit, briefing attendees, and acting immediately to manage inappropriate behaviour or protect the pony's welfare.

8. Record Keeping and Review

Any significant incident relating to inappropriate handling, or any welfare concern arising from interaction, is recorded in the Interaction & Welfare Log, with the accident book also completed where relevant. Records are retained for a minimum of three years and made available to the licensing authority on request.

This policy is reviewed annually, and additionally following any incident, near miss, or change in licensing conditions.

Signed (responsible person):         Sarah Brown

Date:                            ___________________________________